It is well understood that we are in the midst of a deep recession, perhaps the worst since the Great Depression.  Almost every day companies are announcing job cuts in the thousands and the unemployment rate in the US is climbing rapidly to worrisome levels.   The competition for job openings is getting fiercer, so it is important that you use all the tools available to you in order to land the position you desire.  Let’s take a look at some of the key principles of a successful job search.

Get Psyched

Going through a job search can be mentally exhausting.  The process requires patience, can be extremely frustrating, and worse of all, it exposes you to all your insecurities, especially the fear of rejection.  It is important for you to prepare for your job search in the same way that a top athlete prepares for a competition.  Concentration, visualization, focus, and plenty of sleep, are all important components of the prep work for the psychological battle in which you are about to enter.  Don’t underestimate the importance of building your mental stamina.

If there is just one thing that you should remember during this process, it is this:  The rejection you are about to get is a normal part of the process.  Everyone looking for a job is going through the same pain and the rejection is by no means a reflection of you, or of your capabilities.  Pretend that you are an actor who is auditioning for a part.  Actors get rejected several times every day before they eventually find the perfect match.  In order to be successful you will have to audition many, many times.

Write a Resume that Gets Noticed

Your resume needs to be much more than a chronological list of all the jobs you’ve held.  It needs to sell your value proposition in a period of less than 30 seconds.  If an employer can’t tell what value you bring to the table when scanning your resume, you are toast. 

In order to grab an employer’s attention your resume needs to be distinguishable and focused on the job you are applying for.  Create a resume template that has the basic information that applies to most jobs.  Then for every job you are applying to, zoom in on the attributes that the job post lists as critical.  For example, if the position requires extensive experience with a particular technology – let’s say, SAP – then list how you have used SAP to achieve results for your previous employers.  Even if SAP was only a relatively small part of your overall experience, it should take a large proportion of the message in your resume.

But don’t stop there.  What is unique about your experience that would distinguish you from all the other candidates with SAP on their resume?  Perhaps you have worked in the same industry as the company you are applying for.  Maybe the company has operations in an area of the world where you have lived, travelled, or can speak the language.  Build a story that says: “Wow!  This person is a perfect match for this position!”  If you honestly don’t feel you can build a resume that conveys this message for the position you are applying for, perhaps you should move on and keep searching, instead of wasting time on sending a generic resume that will end up in the trash.

Network, Network, Network

I am sure you have heard this before.  Networking is the most important activity in a job search and the most effective way to find a job.  We are not saying you should become an annoying beggar, calling every Dick and Harry you’ve ever bumped into in the past asking for a job.  That is not going to get you very far.

But you should definitely send out the message that you are available.  You can do this in subtle ways: one of the most effective techniques is to ask others for advice.  Everybody loves giving advice and, in the conversation, if the person has a position that he or she feels you would qualify for, it will come up without you having to ask for it. You can also ask for a reference and, inevitably, someone is going to know someone who knows someone who has just the job opening you are looking for.

Make sure you attend industry events where you can meet new people and hear the latest trends and buzz words.  You don’t need to wear a banner on your forehead saying you are looking for a job.  Remember, the purpose of attending these events is not necessarily to find a position, but to grow your network, to keep you up to date on what is going on in your field.  You may hear about a company that is growing, a technology that is hot, or a subject matter that is getting lots of attention.  Then go get yourself educated so you can speak intelligently about those topics to your next prospective employer or in an information interview.

Reciprocate

Offer something of value to people on your network.  It could be something as simple as sending an article that you think might be of interest to a contact.  Help others find jobs.  In you search you will inevitably run into opportunities that may not be right for you but may be perfect for someone you know.  The more goodwill you put out there, the more will come back to you.

Use Technology to Your Advantage

In today’s world, technology is a critical tool that you cannot do without.  Leverage technology as much as you can.  Create email alerts for job openings that match your search criteria.  Subscribe to RSS feeds in subject areas that are related to your search.  Blog about subjects in your area of expertise.  Use social networking sites like LinkedIn to stay connected.  Use Twitter to talk about your involvement in industry activities.  The list goes on and on…

Knock Their Socks Off During the Interview

Your goal during the search is to get to an interview.  The interview does not necessarily need to be for an open position.  It could be for an information only interview where you learn more about a company, an industry, or a profession.  Regardless of the nature of the interview, treat it seriously.  Dress appropriately for the occasion.  If you are interviewing in the financial industry, a conservative attire is a must.  In certain fields you may not need a suit or a dress, but make sure you find out first.  You don’t want to look underdressed or overdressed for the occasion.  Either way, you should look neat and professional.  This is not the time to express the wilder side of your personality, so please remove the piercing and hide the tattoos.

Most importantly, prepare for the interview.  Read everything you possibly can about the company you are interviewing with.  If possible, get a good understanding of the financials, such as annual sales, income, recent major expenses such as acquisitions, etc. If you are applying for a public company this information is readily available on the internet.  Practice for your interview with a friend.  Have your friend ask you questions that are likely to come up and respond as if you were there.  Make sure you know exactly what to say when they ask about your strengths and weaknesses.  Don’t try to wing it during the interview.

Getting a job in this market can be challenging.  But most people will not bother to follow the simple advice listed above.  By committing to doing the basics suggested in this article you are already several steps ahead of the competition and you are much more likely to achieve success in your search.

Best of Luck!